April brings volunteer opportunities

As April’s sun warms us up, it inspires us to put away winter gear, start spring cleaning and seek new opportunities. April is Global Volunteer Month and National Volunteer Week is April 16–22, which gives us a chance to recognize the important role volunteers hold in our communities.

According to AmeriCorps, 4.8 million Texans volunteered through a community based organization and 10.4 million Texans volunteered informally by helping out their neighbors in 2021. April is a great time to join millions of Texans and start volunteering.

Volunteering helps the community, residents and the volunteer. An AmeriCorps research review found that volunteering is shown to lead to better health overall. Along with the satisfaction you get from helping others and your community, there are many reasons to volunteer, including community organizations need volunteers. Consider reaching out to a community organization that is meaningful to you and asking if they need any volunteers.

If you are interested in volunteering but are not sure how to get started, consider these questions:

• What are your hobbies, interests and special skills?

Identifying what you are interested in can help you figure out what organization or population you would like to volunteer with.

• How much time do you have to give?

This will help you decide how often you can volunteer.

• Are you looking to volunteer in person or virtually?

Many organizations offer virtual volunteer opportunities.

• What organizations in your community are looking for volunteers?

Volunteer search engines, like Volunteer Match or Points of Light, can help you find volunteer opportunities near you.

• Are there any barriers for you to get involved?

If it is time, consider a one-time volunteer opportunity, or if transportation is a barrier, explore virtual volunteering.

For those looking for an informal volunteer experience, the Texas Health and Human Services Know Your Neighbor Campaign may be a good fit. The Know Your Neighbor Campaign urges Texans to form and maintain new connections with older neighbors to help reduce the risks of isolation and loneliness.

Know Your Neighbor provides resources to make forming those connections easier. Learn more about Know Your Neighbor on the Be Connected webpage. Explore the volunteering resources on the Aging Well Resources Order form. Enter some basic facts about yourself and then select Volunteerism under the category menu.

Embrace spring by connecting with others, improving your health and giving back to your community by volunteering.